Ladders account for thousands of workplace accidents every year. Hundreds of employees per year actually fall to their deaths. Ladder safety should be a major priority for businesses and is not to be taken lightly.
Employees that use ladders regularly may balk at talk of ladder safety and feel that they already know how to be cautious. However, it is vital to remind yourself of proper techniques and guidelines when using this familiar piece of equipment. Almost every type of business has a ladder even if it is only used to change a light bulb.
Below are suggestions for proper ladder safety techniques.
- Wear slip resistant shoes. Avoid climbing a ladder wearing shoes with leather soles.
- Never stand on the top rung of a ladder.
- Do not use ladders during bad weather conditions such as high winds and rain that make the rungs slippery and the ladder unstable.
- Let someone spot you when necessary.
- Look for overhead power lines before placing a ladder.
- Only use ladders on level and stable surfaces.
- Make yourself aware of a ladder’s load bearing weight and do not exceed it.
- Do not move the ladder or shift it while you or someone is on it.
- Do not place the ladder on boxes or other unstable objects.
- Angle the ladder appropriately.
For more information on ladder safety, check out this beneficial article from OSHA. If you or a close family member has suffered from a personal injury while on the job, and the employer is not being fair regarding workers’ compensation benefits, you may need to consult with a work injury attorney in your area to guide you in how to handle this difficult situation.